Since the start of 2023, KL has had a fine record against Australia in ODIs, scoring 495 runs in 10 matches and innings at an average of 82.50 and a strike rate of over 86, with five fifties and a best score of 97*.
While an underwhelming show by top-order, Rohit Sharma (8), Shubman Gill (10), Virat Kohli (0) and Shreyas Iyer (11) put India in trouble at 45/4, it was KL (38 in 31 balls, with two fours and two sixes) and Axar's (31 in 38 balls, with three fours) 39-run stand that provided some stability.
The highly anticipated series opener against Australia at the Optus Stadium will mark the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in ODIs for the first time since lifting the Champions Trophy on March 9 in Dubai.
The Indian cricket team had an intense fielding session on Saturday, followed by nets and batting drills, ahead of the first ODI against Australia, which will kick off on Sunday in Perth.
The much-anticipated Men's ODI Series between Australia and India was officially launched on Friday at Perth Stadium, with players from both sides coming together to celebrate one of cricket's most iconic rivalries.
"It's a perfect situation for Shubman Gill because he has both Rohit and Virat in the dressing room, who can also offer their input to him. And I think it's very good for his captaincy and for his growth," Axar Patel told the reporters.
The other members of Team India's white-ball contingent departed for Australia from New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Wednesday evening, following the morning departure of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and others.
Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has raised questions over the inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy in India's playing XI during the recently concluded second Test against the West Indies.
Ahead of the second Test against the West Indies at Arun Jaitely Stadium from Friday, Team India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate stated that the side is fortunate to have players like Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel - cricketers capable of adapting across batting pos
Top stars of the Indian men's team and support staff arrived at head coach Gautam Gambhir's residence here in the national capital on Wednesday for a special dinner ahead of the second Test against the West Indies.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) remained rational in its decision to move on from the seasoned swashbuckler Rohit Sharma and pass on the captaincy baton to young Shubman Gill, who has already been appointed as the Test skipper.
The India-Pakistan rivalry, despite its largely one-sided track record leaning towards India in recent years, continues to give excitement as it took a patient, well-calculated 69* from Tilak and half-century partnerships with Sanju Samson and Dube to drag India out of troubled waters fro